In remembrance of The Great War during this centenary year, this blog will explore the intriguing social history of that tumultuous time. The first two of my Muskoka Novels – "The Summer Before the Storm" and "Elusive Dawn" – take place from 1914-1918. During my four years of research I accumulated a trunkful of notes, and will illuminate some of the more interesting and unusual tidbits, beginning with the Age of Elegance.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Christmas Truce - 1914

When tens of thousands of young British and
Commonwealth men went off to war so eagerly and naively in the summer of 1914,
it was generally thought that they would be home by Christmas. But by then the
troops on the Western Front were well entrenched along a mostly static line
that would witness a brutal war of attrition during the next four years.

One of the absurdities of war is that the
people who are expected to kill one another have no personal enmity towards one
another. This became particularly clear on Christmas, 1914, when there was a
spontaneous cessation of hostilities between British and German troops in the
front lines. The Germans were decorating their trenches with small Christmas
trees and singing carols. The British “retaliated” with English carols, and
soon the men were shouting greetings to each other. Many met in No Man's Land
(the area between the opposing front lines) where small gifts like chocolate or
buttons were exchanged, and pictures of sweethearts were shown. In some places,
the opposing troops played soccer, and drank together. It became known as the
"Christmas Truce", and was dramatized in the 2005 Oscar-nominated
French film entitled "Joyeux Noel". The commanders, of course, didn’t
like this fraternization with the enemy, and tried to ensure that it never
happened again.

Reviews of The Muskoka Novels

“The Summer Before the Storm is a richly detailed, complex novel - one that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.” - The Book Chick

“In Elusive Dawn, author Gabriele Wills shows talent that is anything but elusive. Her skillfully crafted scenes populated by well drawn characters will pull readers into the story and not let go until the very last page.” – Writer’s Digest Magazine

“If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, trust me, you will love this [Muskoka] series!" – So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

"Watch out and move over, Downton Abbey, because The Muskoka Novels are here!" - EmSun

"Ms. Wills is one of the most talented writers I have read in a long time." - A Book Lover's Library

"When I came up for air, I was actually surprised to find myself in 2012 instead of 1914." - PopcornReads.com

"It has EVERYTHING I adore. Ms. Wills is such a great author that she has created characters that I cannot wait to continue with in the next volume." - Bags, Books, & Bon Jovi

“There was never a moment in reading Elusive Dawn that I wasn't completely captivated with the story. I absolutely adore Gabriele Wills!" - Peaceful Wishing

"I can't tell you enough how much I adored this book and the characters it holds." - Stitch - Read - Cook